Latest news with #FirstUnitedMethodistChurch
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Robert DoBell Robert Douglas DoBell, 48, of Missoula,
May 30—Robert DoBell Robert Douglas DoBell, 48, of Missoula, Montana, passed away on May 20, 2025. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Missoula. For a full obituary, please visit
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dome sweet dome! Restoration of copper dome at First United Methodist Church nears completion
May 28—For the past seven months, contractors have spent their days working 100 feet above the streets of downtown Newton; the views have been breathtaking when they can summon the courage to scan the horizon, but their work station atop the copper dome of the First United Methodist Church has been just as extraordinary. Dylan Davis, project superintendent for Breiholz Construction, said there is just nothing like standing at the top of the dome and looking out across town. If he looks hard enough, he can see almost every water tower in all of the surrounding towns. When he looks out over Newton, he sees no other copper domes. For Davis, it feels like he is on top of the world. Ceko Lilly, a journeyman for Breiholz Construction, doesn't let his gaze stray too far from the copper surface he is working on. Admittedly, he develops a bit of tunnel vision when he's on the dome. Even though he's connected to a tether, it still feels like a long way down. Still, Lilly at least gets to admire his work a little more. Even though crews are a few weeks from finishing the job, he can begin to see the green patina forming on the copper. Over time, the dome will look less like a new penny and more like the Statue of Liberty. Their work also means the dome's life is greatly extended. Replacing the copper dome has been a collaborative effort. Breiholz Construction was chosen to handle the restoration in large part due to its background repairing historic structures. Baker Group was hired on to conduct the copper work; the company had previously refurbished exterior copper at the Iowa State Capitol. OPN Architects was involved with the church early on in the project and prepared the initial study to determine what needed to be done to the dome after it sustained hail damage. The architects frequently visit the site to make sure the drawings and specifications had been adhered to during the construction phase. Kimbra Korte, chair of the trustees committee at First United Methodist Church, said the May 2023 hail storm — which produced baseball- to tennis ball-sized hail — had torn holes into the vinyl siding and dented the copper roof. The damage caused a number of water issues. Church leaders wanted to see it fixed. Grinnell Mutual, the church's insurance company, covered a large portion of the repairs, which has cost an estimated $1.2 million. Fred Chabot, member of the church's trustees committee, said over the years the dome has received some maintenance and repair work. The siding had been replaced at one point to better waterproof the structure, and some elastomeric paint had been applied to parts of the copper. Breiholz Construction found that daylight could be seen from inside the dome itself, which is only accessible through an attic. Workers sealed off those gaps and also built a new collapsable ladder for the scuttle hole, which allows church leaders to access the inner dome safely. For the past 15 years he has been in the business, Davis has worked a lot of new construction and remodeling jobs. But he has never worked on a dome. "Copper as well," Davis said. "It's unique. It's not typical anymore. Nobody puts the money into that kind of thing anymore as far as that goes. It's definitely an art to say the least. It's a lot of hands-on work and it's got a uniqueness to it. You can't just lay it down and go. You gotta know what you're doing." There are challenges when restoring or repairing portions of a historic building. Davis said his biggest obstacle was knowing where to start and stop. "You can't remove everything otherwise it's no longer historic," Davis said. "You gotta keep some of it around and you have to know much of the scab do you have to peal back. You try to keep it original as much as possible. Another challenge was the learning curve for the dome." Chabot is pleased that both the trustees and the congregation are committed to preserving the historic church, a "symbol of Newton." According to local historian Larry Hurto's chronicles of the church, the building was dedicated in 1915. It was built of Bedford limestone and surmounted with a copper-covered dome. It had a large dining room, a completely furnished kitchen, a social room, coffee room, boys' club room, shower bath, toilets — the list goes on. Additions were added later on. The sanctuary had a seating capacity of 450. Combined with the balcony seatings and other rooms, the church had a total capacity of 1,250. "There's a sense of commitment by the trustees and congregation to preserve this unique building in the town of Newton," Chabot said. Korte said there are a lot of people who have attended First United Methodist Church for a long time. The project showed her that many people are interested in maintaining the building as a place of worship. The congregation has been very interested in the project, giving trustees a chance to share the history. Hurto noted First United Methodist Church is a contributing property to Newton's historic downtown district. Looking around at the copper on the dome and the stained glass present throughout the building, Hurto said it is "an architectural treasure." Its history is significant, and its services date back to the 1840s. "This is a testament, I think, to all of the saints that have attended church here over generations," Hurto said. "To be able to be in a position to save and preserve it for future generations is very exciting." It makes the sudden passing of Pastor Doug Cue on May 18 all the more tragic. Hurto said it is heartbreaking to think Cue did not see the dome's completion. Davis said Cue and the congregation have been so welcoming throughout the entire project. He came into work not feeling stressed, nor did he feel pressured to speed up the process. Davis said Cue especially made him feel warm and invited, and even fixed a few meals for workers. "It's been very pleasurable throughout the entire duration of the project," Davis said. "They've done a very good job not only giving us a cool project to work with but they've been very inviting the entire time we've been here."
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jewish families channel Passover story after devastating losses in Los Angeles wildfires
PASADENA, California (AP) — Aty Rotter lost her family home and her spiritual home in the ravenous fire that scorched a large swath of Los Angeles County earlier this year. The house her late father built in Pasadena more than 60 years ago is gone to the fire that charred more than 21 square miles (54 square kilometers). So is the 104-year-old Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center where she has worshipped since she was a child. The January fire destroyed the menorahs she lit for Hanukkah and the growing collection of dreidels she planned to pass down to her granddaughters. Also lost forever are the candlesticks and brassware her family carried while fleeing Nazi Europe, and the Seder plates she would have used for the upcoming ritual Passover meal this weekend. 'Only their spirit and memory of those things remain with me now,' Rotter said. 'The memories of when I used them and who was with me.' A sobering Passover She's not alone. Thirty of the synagogue's 435 families lost their homes and even more were displaced. As the major Jewish festival approaches, it's hard not to see the Passover story reflected in this post-fire reality, said Melissa Levy, the temple's executive director. Passover, which begins at sundown Saturday, commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, including their 40-year journey through the desert. It is celebrated with a special meal called a Seder, the eating of matzo or unleavened bread, and the retelling of the Exodus story. 'The synagogue itself and our people are doing a lot of wandering right now, and having to focus on togetherness and resiliency is a theme that hits home harder than usual this year,' Levy said. The congregation has received overwhelming support from the community. First United Methodist Church opened its doors so they could continue to hold weekly Shabbat services, their Passover Seders will be held at Pasadena City College, and a synagogue member is sponsoring the second night's dinner. 'The outpouring of support we've received reminds us that we're not alone and we're not wandering alone,' Levy said. 'It's a good reminder that we all are part of one human family and that the purpose of religion is to make ourselves the best we can be so we can repair the world and take care of each other.' While the sanctuary adorned with stained glass panels completely burned down, all 13 Torah scrolls were saved, including a Persian scroll retrieved by a congregant from Iran. Speaking about trauma and loss Cantor Ruth Berman Harris, who leads the congregation in lieu of a full-time rabbi, said she channeled her Polish grandmother who survived the Holocaust as she and others fought to save the sacred scrolls from the approaching flames. 'When I heard the fire was getting closer to the synagogue, that was no time to feel. It was time to step up and take action,' she said. Time and again, Jewish people 'have been forced to pack up and move, go somewhere else and experience something new,' often not of their own volition, Harris said. The Haggadah, a book that leads participants through a Seder, serves as a reminder of Jewish resilience. But the trauma of the fire is recent and raw. 'It's not easy to talk about this sense of loss when it just happened,' she said. 'But also, it's Passover, and so I need to talk about it.' Harris is preparing for this task even as she processes her own trauma. She changed the background of her Apple watch from fire – a reminder 'of the internal fire we carry that is connected to God' — to water. Levy said the community currently uses three locations – one where they pray, another that serves as office quarters and a third that houses their school. They are looking for rental space where they can consolidate all of their programs and settle down while planning a major fundraising effort to rebuild. Replacing lost sacred items As Passover approaches, this theme of replenishing and rebuilding continues with various efforts in the area's Jewish communities to replace sacred items, also known as Judaica, that were lost in the fire. Last month, Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles hosted an event featuring thousands of new and used Judaica items where Rotter and others affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires were able to obtain them for free. Rotter said she found Seder plates, covers for matzo and challah breads and kiddush cups, which hold wine or grape juice that is used in sanctifying prayers recited to mark the beginning of the Jewish holiday. Rachel Neumann, a congregant since 2017, said much of her Judaica was ruined in the fire, though her Altadena home survived. 'I lost my Shabbat items and various heirlooms, including things from my late father,' she said, her voice thick with emotion. 'To see this room full of Jewish ritual items donated by individuals or Judaica companies was so beautiful to me. It felt very special to be cared for in this way.' A way to repair and replenish Emily Kane Miller, a board member at the Kehillat Israel synagogue in Pacific Palisades, founded an organization called Heart and Hamsa with actress and activist Noa Tishby. It's a free registry and marketplace for Judaica for Jewish families affected by the wildfires. While her synagogue survived the fire, Miller's home did not. She lost heirlooms handed down from her great-grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. The site has received numerous donations, including many items from precious Judaica collections. 'We've received hundreds of Judaica items, which represent hundreds of stories,' Miller said. 'There are hundreds of miracles that brought those pieces to affected families that then become opportunities to reverberate that miracle every time a family uses an item.' While giving away items that have been handed down over generations can be difficult, even painful, it's also a 'loving act of kindness in a time of struggle,' Miller said. Launching this site along with Tishby has helped her cope with a low moment in her life, she said. 'I didn't just lose my house,' Miller said. 'My entire community burned down. To still be able to appreciate and feel the sacred in our world is such a gift. It's my medicine in this moment.' Alisa Bromberg, who lost her Pacific Palisades home, said she has felt a sense of tranquility after bringing the Judaica to her rental. She deliberately picked items that appeared old or used. 'The new things are lovely, but they did not speak to me in the same way that the older ones did,' she said. 'So much of Jewish history is storytelling. I feel so empowered by the people who came before me.' In her home, Bromberg had a wall display dedicated to her ancestors. Since that burned down, Bromberg has created a new one decorated with Seder plates she recently received. 'The wall talks to me and I feel like it protects and envelops me,' she said. 'With this Judaica now in my home, I have felt relief for the first time in three months.' Now the fire is part of her Jewish story and her history. That's why nestled in the display are two charred kiddush cups — the only items she managed to retrieve from her burned-out home. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The Independent
10-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Jewish families channel Passover story after devastating losses in Los Angeles wildfires
Aty Rotter lost her family home and her spiritual home in the ravenous fire that scorched a large swath of Los Angeles County earlier this year. The house her late father built in Pasadena more than 60 years ago is gone to the fire that charred more than 21 square miles (54 square kilometers). So is the 104-year-old Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center where she has worshipped since she was a child. The January fire destroyed the menorahs she lit for Hanukkah and the growing collection of dreidels she planned to pass down to her granddaughters. Also lost forever are the candlesticks and brassware her family carried while fleeing Nazi Europe, and the Seder plates she would have used for the upcoming ritual Passover meal this weekend. 'Only their spirit and memory of those things remain with me now,' Rotter said. 'The memories of when I used them and who was with me.' A sobering Passover She's not alone. Thirty of the synagogue's 435 families lost their homes and even more were displaced. As the major Jewish festival approaches, it's hard not to see the Passover story reflected in this post-fire reality, said Melissa Levy, the temple's executive director. Passover, which begins at sundown Saturday, commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, including their 40-year journey through the desert. It is celebrated with a special meal called a Seder, the eating of matzo or unleavened bread, and the retelling of the Exodus story. 'The synagogue itself and our people are doing a lot of wandering right now, and having to focus on togetherness and resiliency is a theme that hits home harder than usual this year,' Levy said. The congregation has received overwhelming support from the community. First United Methodist Church opened its doors so they could continue to hold weekly Shabbat services, their Passover Seders will be held at Pasadena City College, and a synagogue member is sponsoring the second night's dinner. 'The outpouring of support we've received reminds us that we're not alone and we're not wandering alone,' Levy said. 'It's a good reminder that we all are part of one human family and that the purpose of religion is to make ourselves the best we can be so we can repair the world and take care of each other.' While the sanctuary adorned with stained glass panels completely burned down, all 13 Torah scrolls were saved, including a Persian scroll retrieved by a congregant from Iran. Speaking about trauma and loss Cantor Ruth Berman Harris, who leads the congregation in lieu of a full-time rabbi, said she channeled her Polish grandmother who survived the Holocaust as she and others fought to save the sacred scrolls from the approaching flames. 'When I heard the fire was getting closer to the synagogue, that was no time to feel. It was time to step up and take action,' she said. Time and again, Jewish people 'have been forced to pack up and move, go somewhere else and experience something new,' often not of their own volition, Harris said. The Haggadah, a book that leads participants through a Seder, serves as a reminder of Jewish resilience. But the trauma of the fire is recent and raw. 'It's not easy to talk about this sense of loss when it just happened,' she said. 'But also, it's Passover, and so I need to talk about it.' Harris is preparing for this task even as she processes her own trauma. She changed the background of her Apple watch from fire – a reminder 'of the internal fire we carry that is connected to God' — to water. Levy said the community currently uses three locations – one where they pray, another that serves as office quarters and a third that houses their school. They are looking for rental space where they can consolidate all of their programs and settle down while planning a major fundraising effort to rebuild. Replacing lost sacred items As Passover approaches, this theme of replenishing and rebuilding continues with various efforts in the area's Jewish communities to replace sacred items, also known as Judaica, that were lost in the fire. Last month, Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles hosted an event featuring thousands of new and used Judaica items where Rotter and others affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires were able to obtain them for free. Rotter said she found Seder plates, covers for matzo and challah breads and kiddush cups, which hold wine or grape juice that is used in sanctifying prayers recited to mark the beginning of the Jewish holiday. Rachel Neumann, a congregant since 2017, said much of her Judaica was ruined in the fire, though her Altadena home survived. 'I lost my Shabbat items and various heirlooms, including things from my late father,' she said, her voice thick with emotion. 'To see this room full of Jewish ritual items donated by individuals or Judaica companies was so beautiful to me. It felt very special to be cared for in this way.' A way to repair and replenish Emily Kane Miller, a board member at the Kehillat Israel synagogue in Pacific Palisades, founded an organization called Heart and Hamsa with actress and activist Noa Tishby. It's a free registry and marketplace for Judaica for Jewish families affected by the wildfires. While her synagogue survived the fire, Miller's home did not. She lost heirlooms handed down from her great-grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. The site has received numerous donations, including many items from precious Judaica collections. 'We've received hundreds of Judaica items, which represent hundreds of stories,' Miller said. 'There are hundreds of miracles that brought those pieces to affected families that then become opportunities to reverberate that miracle every time a family uses an item.' While giving away items that have been handed down over generations can be difficult, even painful, it's also a 'loving act of kindness in a time of struggle,' Miller said. Launching this site along with Tishby has helped her cope with a low moment in her life, she said. 'I didn't just lose my house,' Miller said. 'My entire community burned down. To still be able to appreciate and feel the sacred in our world is such a gift. It's my medicine in this moment.' Alisa Bromberg, who lost her Pacific Palisades home, said she has felt a sense of tranquility after bringing the Judaica to her rental. She deliberately picked items that appeared old or used. 'The new things are lovely, but they did not speak to me in the same way that the older ones did,' she said. 'So much of Jewish history is storytelling. I feel so empowered by the people who came before me.' In her home, Bromberg had a wall display dedicated to her ancestors. Since that burned down, Bromberg has created a new one decorated with Seder plates she recently received. 'The wall talks to me and I feel like it protects and envelops me,' she said. 'With this Judaica now in my home, I have felt relief for the first time in three months.' Now the fire is part of her Jewish story and her history. That's why nestled in the display are two charred kiddush cups — the only items she managed to retrieve from her burned-out home. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Associated Press
10-04-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Jewish families channel Passover story after devastating losses in Los Angeles wildfires
PASADENA, California (AP) — Aty Rotter lost her family home and her spiritual home in the ravenous fire that scorched a large swath of Los Angeles County earlier this year. The house her late father built in Pasadena more than 60 years ago is gone to the fire that charred more than 21 square miles (54 square kilometers). So is the 104-year-old Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center where she has worshipped since she was a child. The January fire destroyed the menorahs she lit for Hanukkah and the growing collection of dreidels she planned to pass down to her granddaughters. Also lost forever are the candlesticks and brassware her family carried while fleeing Nazi Europe, and the Seder plates she would have used for the upcoming ritual Passover meal this weekend. 'Only their spirit and memory of those things remain with me now,' Rotter said. 'The memories of when I used them and who was with me.' A sobering Passover She's not alone. Thirty of the synagogue's 435 families lost their homes and even more were displaced. As the major Jewish festival approaches, it's hard not to see the Passover story reflected in this post-fire reality, said Melissa Levy, the temple's executive director. Passover, which begins at sundown Saturday, commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, including their 40-year journey through the desert. It is celebrated with a special meal called a Seder, the eating of matzo or unleavened bread, and the retelling of the Exodus story. 'The synagogue itself and our people are doing a lot of wandering right now, and having to focus on togetherness and resiliency is a theme that hits home harder than usual this year,' Levy said. The congregation has received overwhelming support from the community. First United Methodist Church opened its doors so they could continue to hold weekly Shabbat services, their Passover Seders will be held at Pasadena City College, and a synagogue member is sponsoring the second night's dinner. 'The outpouring of support we've received reminds us that we're not alone and we're not wandering alone,' Levy said. 'It's a good reminder that we all are part of one human family and that the purpose of religion is to make ourselves the best we can be so we can repair the world and take care of each other.' While the sanctuary adorned with stained glass panels completely burned down, all 13 Torah scrolls were saved, including a Persian scroll retrieved by a congregant from Iran. Speaking about trauma and loss Cantor Ruth Berman Harris, who leads the congregation in lieu of a full-time rabbi, said she channeled her Polish grandmother who survived the Holocaust as she and others fought to save the sacred scrolls from the approaching flames. 'When I heard the fire was getting closer to the synagogue, that was no time to feel. It was time to step up and take action,' she said. Time and again, Jewish people 'have been forced to pack up and move, go somewhere else and experience something new,' often not of their own volition, Harris said. The Haggadah, a book that leads participants through a Seder, serves as a reminder of Jewish resilience. But the trauma of the fire is recent and raw. 'It's not easy to talk about this sense of loss when it just happened,' she said. 'But also, it's Passover, and so I need to talk about it.' Harris is preparing for this task even as she processes her own trauma. She changed the background of her Apple watch from fire – a reminder 'of the internal fire we carry that is connected to God' — to water. Levy said the community currently uses three locations – one where they pray, another that serves as office quarters and a third that houses their school. They are looking for rental space where they can consolidate all of their programs and settle down while planning a major fundraising effort to rebuild. Replacing lost sacred items As Passover approaches, this theme of replenishing and rebuilding continues with various efforts in the area's Jewish communities to replace sacred items, also known as Judaica, that were lost in the fire. Last month, Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles hosted an event featuring thousands of new and used Judaica items where Rotter and others affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires were able to obtain them for free. Rotter said she found Seder plates, covers for matzo and challah breads and kiddush cups, which hold wine or grape juice that is used in sanctifying prayers recited to mark the beginning of the Jewish holiday. Rachel Neumann, a congregant since 2017, said much of her Judaica was ruined in the fire, though her Altadena home survived. 'I lost my Shabbat items and various heirlooms, including things from my late father,' she said, her voice thick with emotion. 'To see this room full of Jewish ritual items donated by individuals or Judaica companies was so beautiful to me. It felt very special to be cared for in this way.' A way to repair and replenish Emily Kane Miller, a board member at the Kehillat Israel synagogue in Pacific Palisades, founded an organization called Heart and Hamsa with actress and activist Noa Tishby. It's a free registry and marketplace for Judaica for Jewish families affected by the wildfires. While her synagogue survived the fire, Miller's home did not. She lost heirlooms handed down from her great-grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. The site has received numerous donations, including many items from precious Judaica collections. 'We've received hundreds of Judaica items, which represent hundreds of stories,' Miller said. 'There are hundreds of miracles that brought those pieces to affected families that then become opportunities to reverberate that miracle every time a family uses an item.' While giving away items that have been handed down over generations can be difficult, even painful, it's also a 'loving act of kindness in a time of struggle,' Miller said. Launching this site along with Tishby has helped her cope with a low moment in her life, she said. 'I didn't just lose my house,' Miller said. 'My entire community burned down. To still be able to appreciate and feel the sacred in our world is such a gift. It's my medicine in this moment.' Alisa Bromberg, who lost her Pacific Palisades home, said she has felt a sense of tranquility after bringing the Judaica to her rental. She deliberately picked items that appeared old or used. 'The new things are lovely, but they did not speak to me in the same way that the older ones did,' she said. 'So much of Jewish history is storytelling. I feel so empowered by the people who came before me.' In her home, Bromberg had a wall display dedicated to her ancestors. Since that burned down, Bromberg has created a new one decorated with Seder plates she recently received. 'The wall talks to me and I feel like it protects and envelops me,' she said. 'With this Judaica now in my home, I have felt relief for the first time in three months.' Now the fire is part of her Jewish story and her history. That's why nestled in the display are two charred kiddush cups — the only items she managed to retrieve from her burned-out home.
